I've got the SWAM Violin. I want to play notes with some variation. I don't have a keyboard to do this. Too many complications that won't allow me to, so I have to stick to a compact design. I also can't play instruments full stop because of cognitive issues.
How do Embertone's Joshua Bell Violin (JBV) and Audio Modeling's SWAM Violin (SV) compare? The JBV has a sweet, natural-sounding tone right out of the box an. SWAM Violin is an instrument based on physical modeling. So it is possible to control the main mechanical variables in real time. For example, the velocity controls the attack of the sound and the portamento time, as well when playing legato.
- With SWAM instruments you can compose and arrange your orchestra pieces or concertos. SWAM Violin is an instrument based on physical modeling. So it is possible to control the main mechanical variables in real time. For example, the velocity controls the attack of the sound and the portamento time, as well when playing legato.
- SWAM Solo Strings is a collection of products that includes SWAM Violin, SWAM Viola, SWAM Cello, and SWAM Double Bass. Developed using the Digital Waveguide Synthesis (Prof. Julius Smith – Stanford University) combined with the Synchronous Waves Acoustic Modeling technology.
I use FL Studio, I managed to get the VST to work by changing expression. But I've encountered a new issue where I can't change the vibrato or pressure with any of the FL Studio channels within a pattern. And the mapping for some reason on this software only lists CC? I don't know what that is, I just know the notes on an FL Studio pattern. How do I assign those to the pattern?
For reference, I used to use instruments from a Kontakt library, which had a simple variation change using a single note on the pattern. I can set for example, vibrato, to B#0. It would play the following notes with vibrato.
Note: I half solved this problem, but it's inconvenient. I can go to the parameters, right click the CC, and create automation link. But it isn't that convenient, since there's a bug in FL Studio where deleting automations won't delete them permanently from a pattern. It will remain.
Also, are there any presets for this violin? Mine sounds all computer-y. I've tried different models and settings and none seem to work. Everyone else's violin sounds different to mine. What's the problem here?
You need to simulate what happens in real life, i.e. add an instrument for each player of the section who plays slightly different from the others.
Audio Modeling Swam Violin Videos
Here's an example for creating a violin section:
1. On a DAW, create one track for each player of the section (let's say 8 violins), and load a SWAM Violin on each.
2. Each instance of the violin must behave differently from the others:
- Slightly detune each instance (from -15 to +15 cents).
- Select a different 'Instrument' for each instance (select 'M' mono types to save CPU).
- Change slightly the bow position, bow pressure, string resonance, and so on.
- Write the sequence for the first violin, copy it to the other tracks, then slightly randomize the starting point and the duration of each note for each track.
- Turn off the internal reverb, insert a reverb plugin on each track and set different Early Reflection time (e.g. from 20 to 40 ms) and pan positioning for each instance.
3. Apply a final reverb to the whole section.
Of course, running 8 violins will require a lot of CPU power. If you run out of power, you can render some tracks to audio and work on the remaining ones.
This is a rough example done with 4 violins. The track starts with the ensemble followed by each violin separately:
You need to simulate what happens in real life, i.e. add an instrument for each player of the section who plays slightly different from the others.
Here's an example for creating a violin section:
1. On a DAW, create one track for each player of the section (let's say 8 violins), and load a SWAM Violin on each.
2. Each instance of the violin must behave differently from the others:
- Slightly detune each instance (from -15 to +15 cents).
- Select a different 'Instrument' for each instance (select 'M' mono types to save CPU).
- Change slightly the bow position, bow pressure, string resonance, and so on.
- Write the sequence for the first violin, copy it to the other tracks, then slightly randomize the starting point and the duration of each note for each track.
- Turn off the internal reverb, insert a reverb plugin on each track and set different Early Reflection time (e.g. from 20 to 40 ms) and pan positioning for each instance.
3. Apply a final reverb to the whole section.
Of course, running 8 violins will require a lot of CPU power. If you run out of power, you can render some tracks to audio and work on the remaining ones.
Audio Modeling Swam Violin
This is a rough example done with 4 violins. The track starts with the ensemble followed by each violin separately: